Paro Spring Festival Tour

Detail Itinerary

Day 1Arrive Paro The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by representative of Pink Mountain Treks and Expedition and transfer to the hotel. Later in the afternoon, you can stroll in Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 2Paro Festival Attend full day festival dances and celebration with people of Paro and nearby villages. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 3Hike to Tiger's Nest MonasteryIf you get up at 3:00am and head to Paro Dzong, you will be able to see the unfurling of the Throngdrel (a giant appliqué art) with the procession by monks and lamas. After breakfast, hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (8th century spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After having explored the monastery, you will hike down to valley floor and drive to Haa valley via Chele La. Meet your trekking staff and stay overnight in camp where trek begins.

Day 4Haa-SagalaYour trek begins through an unpaved motor road for less than hour keeping yourself on the left side of the villages. Taking the footpath trail on the right side of the village will lead you climb up gradually through a yak herders camp. And from the end of this yak herder’s camp, you will traverse through two different trails. Take right side trail to make your final climb towards your camp just below Saga La pass, 31500 meters. (The trail towards the left goes to the summer yak herding camp and to the border of China). Overnight camp at Sagala (3150 meters).

Day 5Sagala-NingulaFrom the camp start climbing for 30 minutes to reach the Sagala pass (3550 meters). If the weather is clear you will have a superb view of Mt. Jumolhari and Jitchu Drake. From the pass, walk on the right side of the trail. After making several ascents and descents, walking through the trails of rhododendron tress and meadows, you will finally be on the top of the ridge which offers great views of Haa Valley. You will again make occasional ascents and descents through forests of Hemlock and Juniper until you reach at your camp 3850 meters.

Day 6Ningula-Kungkarpo-Paro After breakfast, you will start descending for few minutes, and then follow the ridge through meadows of yak herder’s camp. From the end of meadow, climb uphill toward Kung Karpo pass through the forest of tall rhododendron trees. The trail is pretty small uphill until you reach meadows with lot of stone cairns. The view of Haa valley is spectacular as you climb up through these stone cairns to reach the first pass before Kung Karpo. After hiking on the ridges you will reach Kung Karpo (Sky Burial at 4350 meters). If you climb further to the top of the mountain you can see the site where Sky Burial is done. From Kung Karpo you will be walking up and down with panoramic view of Paro valley on left and Haa Valley on right. A view of Kila Goenpa Nunnery below is also spectacular. Hike further down the ridges to the Kila Goempa Nunnery, which is nestled in a craggy patch on the mountain site below the pass and perched precariously along the rock face. Walk for few miles through the coniferous forests to the road head, where the car will be awaiting to take you to Paro. This evening, you will transfer to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 7Thimphu After breakfast, you can visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), nunnery temple, traditional paper factory, the giant Buddha statue on a hill overlooking Thimphu which is reputed to be the largest Buddha Shakymuni in the world. You will then visit majestic Tashichhodzong, the seat of the national government. In the afternoon, you will visit the busy Weekend Market at the bank of Thimphu River where people from nearby villages come here to sell their farm products. You can stroll through the market to see the variety of food of the country, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and mangoes. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. It's fun to wander the aisle, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the market. Perhaps this market scene offers wonderful opportunity for photographs and to mingle with local people. In the evening, you can stroll freely in Thimphu town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 8Thimphu-Punakha After breakfast this morning, enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive at Punakha after traversing through rice field and along the bank of Punakha River. On the way, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Devine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. If you wish, receive the blessing from the Lama’s wooden phallus! After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 9Punakha-Bumthang Today you will drive to Bumthang, the cultural heartland of the country. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La pass, and at certain times of year it's possible to see yaks. You will stop in Trongsa for lunch. After lunch you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Then you'll proceed to Bumthang with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Check into hotel on arrival. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 10Bumthang Today's sightseeing in Bumthang includes Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan; and Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, because Guru Rinpoche, a great 8th century spiritual master left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. You will also have a chance to tour Tamshing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. In the evening you can visit local shops. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 11Excursion to Ura Village You will drive to Ura village, situated at 10,000 ft. There are about 40-50 closely packed houses alongside cobblestone streets that give the village a medieval atmosphere. The drive to Ura takes about two hours. You will stop at the Serthangla Pass so you can take in the view of Ura Valley down below. From there, you'll start hiking downhill until you reach Ura Temple. Then you'll continue your hike through the clustered village of Ura, making frequent stops to converse with the villagers. Ura Village has a medieval look to it because of the cobblestone streets, and the typical clothing of the women includes a sheepskin shawl. Your lunch will be served at a village house, after which you'll walk to the school and observe the young students of Ura. You will then say goodbye to this beautiful village and drive to Chamkhar for the night. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 12Bumthang-Wangdue You'll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangdue. Stop at Chendebji Chorten for your lunch. Chendebji Chorten was built in 18th century by a lama named Shida which is a Nepalese style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. After long exhilarating drive passing through two spectacular high passes, you will arrive Wangdue. The nearby villages of Wangdue are known for their slate and stone carvings. Overnight hotel in Wangdue.

Day 13Wangdue-ParoToday you will drive to Paro via Dochula lass. On arriving at Dochula, visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country with elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works. You will stop in Thimphu for lunch. After lunch, you will continue drive to Paro. This evening, you will visit traditional farmhouse to experience the life of a Bhutanese farmer. If you wish, you can also experience typical Bhutanese dinner with local drinks. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 14Depart ParoAfter breakfast, drive to the airport for departure. Pink Mountain Treks and Expedition's representative will bid you farewell.